A new season of women’s college basketball is here, and the stage is set for another tough year of competition. From powerhouse programs looking to defend their titles to emerging teams ready to make a statement. The 2025 season promises a mix of experience and fresh faces. With returning All-Americans to the impactful transfers, here’s what to watch as the journey to March begins.
UCONN may be contenders for a two-peat. After losing Paige Bueckers, Aubrey Griffin, and Kaitlyn Chen, you’d think that this would be a rebuilding season, but you’d be wrong. The Huskies have picked up guard Kayleigh Heckel from USC, Kelis Fisher from IMG Academy, alongside having returners, Azzi Fudd, KK Arnold, Jana El Alfy, and Sarah Strong. In many analysts’ eyes, UCONN may be just as good as they were last year.
Heavy hitters UCLA are also a team to watch, with “twin tower” sisters, Lauren and Sienna Betts, standing at 6’7 and 6’4. Lauren had a monstrous season last year, averaging almost a double-double with 19.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.9 blocks, leading her team in field goal percentage. Alongside is Kiki Rice, who led the team in assists per game with 5, and Gabriela Jaquez, who showed up big time during the playoffs last season.
My pick for the underdogs is Tennessee; they may have the best recruiting class out of everyone, with three freshmen who were ranked in the top 20 of the ESPN final rankings: Deniya Prawl, Jaida Civil, and Mia Pauldo. Picking up Janiah Barker from UCLA, alongside returner Talaysia Cooper, they will have a very successful season, despite their loss in their season opener versus NC State.
My pick for another championship contender is the incredibly consistent Gamecocks from South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley, and guards Joyce Edwards and Raven Johnson. Unfortunately, they will be without returner Chloe Kitts, who has played a big-time role in the Gamecocks’ success over the last few seasons, as well as Malaysia Fulwiley, who transferred to LSU to play under Kim Mulkey, after the tough loss in the NCAA Championship last season. The Gamecocks will have to rely on their veteran guards to lead their fairly young team this season.
In terms of conference play, I am incredibly excited to see the SEC matchups, with teams like South Carolina, Tennessee, LSU, and Texas. As well as ACC play, with matchups like Notre Dame and UNC, or Duke and Louisville, there is a lot to look forward to this upcoming season.
Only time will tell how these teams perform. The underdogs could end up surprising everyone, or the expected teams could come through and meet their expectations, or the sleeper teams that no one is paying attention to could shine when the lights are brightest.
